Remote mobile device management

ABSTRACT

Remote mobile device management is provided. A master user account is established based on a request from a master user and a request to associate a remote mobile device with the master user account is received. The remote mobile device is associated with the master user account and management information is received from the master user account that is associated with the remote mobile device including restriction activation information. An indication of movement is received when the remote mobile device is moving at a speed above a restriction threshold and the restriction or monitoring of at least one device capability of the remote mobile device is provided based on the restriction activation information and the indication of movement. An indication of deceleration is received when the remote mobile device has decelerated and the restoration of the at least one device capability is provided based on the indication of deceleration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/446,774, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,942,692, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/566,587, filedDec. 2, 2011, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to monitoring and restrictingthe use of mobile devices, and more particularly to managing the receiptof notifications and enabling of restrictions for a mobile device by athird party using a remote interface.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices allow users to communicate with other users throughvoice, video, picture, and text mediums. Mobile devices additionallyprovide internet access and additional applications such as games, texteditors, and social networking applications that may be used on thedevice. There may be situations in which use of certain functionality ofa mobile device is ill-advised or even dangerous. Other uses of mobiledevices create the need to monitor, notify, and restrict some or alluses of the mobile device in varying situations, locations, and atvarious times.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, the disclosed subject technology relates toa system for mobile device management. The system includes one or moreprocessors and a memory containing processor-executable instructions.When executed by the one or more processors, the system establishes amaster user account based on a request from a master user and receives arequest to associate a remote mobile device with the master useraccount. The system also receives management information from the masteruser account that is associated with the remote mobile device, whereinthe management information includes restriction activation information,and receives an indication of movement when the remote mobile device ismoving at a speed above a first restriction threshold. The system alsoprovides for the restriction of at least one device capability of theremote mobile device based on the restriction activation information andthe indication of movement. The system further receives an indication ofdeceleration when the remote mobile device has decelerated below asecond threshold, wherein the second threshold is different than thefirst threshold. The system also provides for a delayed restoration ofthe at least one device capability based on the remote mobile deviceremaining below the second threshold for a delayed period of time.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technology alsorelates to a computer-implemented method for remote mobile devicemanagement. The method includes receiving management information from amaster user account that is associated with a remote mobile device,wherein the management information includes restriction activationinformation, and receiving an indication of movement when the remotemobile device is moving at a speed above a first threshold. The methodfurther includes providing for the restriction of at least one devicecapability of the remote mobile device based on the restrictionactivation information and the indication of movement. The method alsoincludes receiving an indication of deceleration when the remote mobiledevice has decelerated below a second threshold, wherein the secondthreshold is different than the first threshold, and providing for adelayed restoration of the at least one device capability based on theremote mobile device remaining below the second threshold for a delayedperiod of time.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technology alsorelates to a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storingmachine-executable instruction for causing a processor to perform amethod for remote device management. The method includes establishing amaster user account based on a request from a master user, receiving arequest to associate a remote mobile device with the master useraccount, and associating the remote mobile device with the master useraccount. The method also includes receiving management information fromthe master user account that is associated with the remote mobiledevice, wherein the management information includes restrictionactivation information, receiving an indication of movement when theremote mobile device is moving at a speed above a first threshold, andproviding for the restriction of at least one device capability of theremote mobile device based on the restriction activation information andthe indication of movement. The method also includes receiving anindication of deceleration when the remote mobile device has deceleratedbelow a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is different thanthe first threshold, and providing for a delayed restoration of the atleast one device capability based on the remote mobile device remainingbelow the second threshold for a delayed period of time.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management. The systemincludes one or more processors and a memory containingprocessor-executable instructions. When executed by the processors, thesystem receives management information from the master user account thatis associated with the remote mobile device, wherein the managementinformation includes restriction activation information. The system alsodetermines when the remote mobile device is moving at a speed above afirst threshold, provides for the restriction of at least one devicecapability of the remote mobile device based on the restrictionactivation information and the determination of movement. The systemfurther determines when the remote mobile device has decelerated below asecond threshold, wherein the second threshold is different than thefirst threshold, and determines that the speed of the remote mobiledevice remains below the second threshold for a delayed period of timeafter the deceleration is determined. The system also provides for adelayed restoration of the at least one device capability based on thedetermination of the speed remaining below the second threshold for thedelayed period of time.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management. The systemincludes one or more processors and a memory containingprocessor-executable instructions. When executed by the processors, thesystem receives management information from a master user account thatis associated with a remote mobile device, wherein the managementinformation includes restriction activation information, receives anindication of movement when the remote mobile device is moving at aspeed above a first threshold, and provides for the restriction of atleast one device capability of the remote mobile device based on therestriction activation information and the indication of movement. Thesystem also receives an indication of deceleration when the remotemobile device has decelerated below a second threshold and remainedbelow the second threshold speed for a delayed period of time, whereinthe second threshold is different than the first threshold. The systemfurther provides for a delayed restoration of the at least one devicecapability based on the indication of deceleration.

According to another embodiment, he disclosed subject technology furtherrelates to a system for mobile device management pertaining totime-based restrictions. The system includes one or more processor(s)and a memory containing processor-executable instructions. When executedby the processor(s), the system establishes a master user account basedon a request from a master user, receives a request to associate aremote mobile device with the master user account, and associates theremote mobile device with the master use account. The system furtherreceives management information from the master user account that isassociated with the remote mobile device, wherein the managementinformation includes restriction activation information and a time ofrestriction, provides for the restriction of at least one devicecapability of the remote mobile device based on the restrictionactivation information and the time of restriction, and provides forrestoration of the at least one device capability based on the time ofrestriction.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management pertaining tolocation-based and time-based restrictions. The system includes one ormore processor(s) and a memory containing processor-executableinstructions. When executed by the processor(s), the system establishesa master user account based on a request from a master user, receives arequest to associate a remote mobile device with the master useraccount, and associates the remote mobile device with the master useraccount. The system also receives management information from the masteruser account that is associated with the remote mobile device, whereinthe management information includes restriction activation information,a time of restriction, and notification information, wherein thenotification information includes instructions for sending notificationsbased on application activity of the remote mobile device. The systemalso receives an indication of use from the remote mobile device basedon the restriction activation information and activation of anapplication of the remote mobile device corresponding to thenotification information during the time of restriction, and send anotification to the master user account based on receipt of theindication of use.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management pertaining tolocation-based restrictions. The system includes one or moreprocessor(s) and a memory containing processor-executable instructions.When executed by the processor(s), the system establishes a master useraccount based on a request from a master user, receives a request toassociate a remote mobile device with the master user account, andassociates the remote mobile device with the master user account. Thesystem also receives management information from the master user accountthat is associated with the remote mobile device, wherein the managementinformation includes restriction activation information and a geographicboundary, receives an indication of location arrival when the remotemobile device enters the geographic boundary, and provides for therestriction of at least one device capability of the remote mobiledevice based on the restriction activation information and theindication of location. The system further receives an indication oflocation departure when the remote mobile device exits the geographicboundary and provides for restoration of the at least one devicecapability based on the indication of location departure.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management pertaining to atime-based and location-based restrictions. The system includes one ormore processor(s) and a memory containing processor-executableinstructions. When executed by the processor(s), the system establishesa master user account based on a request from a master user, receives arequest to associate a remote mobile device with the master useraccount, and associates the remote mobile device with the master useraccount. The system further receives management information from themaster user account that is associated with the remote mobile device,wherein the management information includes restriction activationinformation, a time of restriction, and a geographic boundary ofrestriction. The system also receives an indication of restriction whenthe remote mobile device enters the geographic boundary during the timeof restriction, provides for the restriction of at least one devicecapability of the remote mobile device based on the restrictionactivation information and the indication of restrictions. The systemalso receives an indication of non-restriction when the remote mobiledevice exits the geographic boundary and the time of restriction haspassed and provides for restoration of the at least one devicecapability based on the indication of non-restriction.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management pertaining totime-based and location-based notifications. The system includes one ormore processor(s) and a memory containing processor-executableinstructions. When executed by the processor(s), the system establishesa master user account based on a request from a master user, receives arequest to associate a remote mobile device with the master useraccount, and associates the remote mobile device with the master useraccount. The system also receives management information from the masteruser account that is associated with the remote mobile device, whereinthe management information includes restriction activation information,a time of restriction, a geographic boundary of restriction, andnotification information including instructions for sendingnotifications based on application activity of the remote mobile device.The system also receives an indication of use based on the restrictionactivation information and activation of an application of the remotemobile device corresponding to the notification information when theremote mobile device enters the geographic boundary during the time ofrestriction and sends a notification to the master user account based onreceipt of the indication of use.

According to another embodiment, the disclosed subject technologyfurther relates to a system for mobile device management pertaining todriving-based, time-based, and location-based restrictions. The systemincludes one or more processor(s) and a memory containingprocessor-executable instructions. When executed by the processor(s),the system establishes a master user account based on a request from amaster user, receives a request to associate a remote mobile device withthe master user account, and associates the remote mobile device withthe master user account. The system also receives management informationfrom the master user account that is associated with the remote mobiledevice, wherein the management information includes restrictionactivation information, a time of restriction, and a geographicboundary. The system receives an indication of restriction when theremote mobile device is moving at a speed above a restriction thresholdduring the time of restriction when the remote mobile device enters thegeographic boundary, provides for the restriction of at least one devicecapability of the remote mobile device based on the restrictionactivation information and the indication of restriction, receives anindication of non-restriction when the remote mobile device exits thegeographic boundary, the time of restriction has passed, anddecelerated, and provides for restoration of the at least one devicecapability based on the indication of nonrestriction.

It is understood that other embodiments and configurations of thesubject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description, wherein variousconfigurations of the subject technology are shown and described by wayof illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capableof other and different configurations and its several details arecapable of modification in various other respects, all without departingfrom the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings anddetailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appendedclaims. However, for the purpose of explanation, several aspects of thesubject technology are set forth in the following figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for remote mobile devicemanagement.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example client and server fromthe system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 a-3 d are process flow diagrams illustrating example processesfor remote mobile device management.

FIGS. 4 a-4 d are illustrations of various example graphical userinterfaces of the remote mobile device, the master device, and webbrowsers that allow access to the master user account in accordance withthe subject technology.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic system with whichsome implementations of the subject technology are implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. Thus, in thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthto provide a full understanding of the subject technology. It will beapparent, however, that different aspects of the subject technology maybe practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so asnot to obscure the disclosure.

The disclosed subject technology describes systems and techniques forremote mobile device management. Remote mobile device management mayinclude restriction of some functions of an electronic device such as amobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant(PDA), and the like. Remote mobile device management may also includemonitoring of the usage of the electronic device in the form of anotification system, or a combination of restriction and notification.Practical applications of the described systems and techniques forremote mobile device management include use of the system to promotesafe driving; promote focus while at work or school; prevent distractionduring sleep or study.

Remote mobile device management of the subject technology may be used topromote save driving by allowing a master user, such as a parent oremployer, to place limitations on a remote user's electronic device,such as a child's phone or employee's phone, when the remote user islikely to be driving. Detection of the device's speed may be made, whichmay indicate that the user of the device is driving a vehicle;accordingly, restrictions may be placed on the phone to prevent thedriver's distraction while driving. A master user, such as a parent, maycontrol the types of restriction that go into effect and may turn therestriction of the phone on or off from a remote location.

Remote mobile device management of the subject technology may be used topromote focus at work/school or prevent distraction during variousperiod of the day by creating notifications or placing restrictions onthe phone during certain hours, such as during work, school, or resthours and/or while at the workplace or on campus. A master user, such asan employer or parent, may select which applications are restrictedwhile the user is, for example, at work or school during a specifictime, to prevent use of the device for game playing, social networking,and the like. The employer or parent may also select to be notified whensome applications are used on the controlled device. For instance, amessage, email, or other notification may be sent to the master userwhen a call is made from the controlled device while at work or school.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 forremote mobile device management. According to an embodiment, the system100 includes master clients 110, controlled clients 140, and servers 130connected over a network 150.

Restrictions and notifications may be imposed on the controlled clients140 by master clients 110. Master clients 110 may send informationregarding restrictions and notifications over network 150. Restrictionand notification information may be associated with a master useraccount and the controlled clients 140 and may be stored on servers 130.Device usage information from controlled clients 140 may be sent overnetwork 150 to servers 130. Device usage notifications may be sent overnetwork 150 to master clients 110. Controlled clients 140 and masterclients 110 may communicate with one another through network 150.

According to an embodiment, the system 100 is comprised of masterclient(s) 110, controlled client(s) 140, server(s) 130 and a network 150in any combination or configuration that allows for remote mobile devicemanagement, including implementations with multiple servers 130. Invarious embodiments, Each of the master clients 110 can be, for example,a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device (e.g., asmartphone, tablet computer, or PDA), a set top box (e.g., for atelevision), a television with one or more processors embedded thereinor coupled thereto, a video game console, or any other device having,preferably, a processor, memory, and communications capabilities. Invarious embodiments, each of the controlled clients 140 can be aportable device, for example, a laptop computer, a mobile device (e.g.,a smartphone, tablet computer, or PDA) or any other portable devicehaving, preferably, a processor, memory, and communicationscapabilities. In certain instances, different versions and/orconfigurations of the system that include subject technology asdisclosed herein are available for download from a server 130 andsubsequent installation on master client 110 and controlled client 140.In various embodiments, the servers 130 can be any device having aprocessor, memory, and communications capabilities for hosting the datafor installing and hosting the system. In some example aspects,server(s) 130 can be a single computing device such as a computerserver. In other aspects, server (s) 130 can represent more than onecomputing device working together to perform the actions of a servercomputer (e.g., cloud computing).

In one embodiment, the network 150 can include, for example, any one ormore of a personal area network (PAN), a wireless local area network(WLAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), ametropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a broadbandnetwork (BBN), the Internet, and the like. Further, the network 150 caninclude, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following networktopologies, including a bus network, a ring network, a mesh network, astar-bus network, tree or hierarchical network, and the like. Thenetwork 150 may include cellular networks with signal encoding typessuch as frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code divisionmultiple access (CDMA), polarization division multiple access (PDMA),time division multiple access (TDMA) and may operate under standardssuch as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example client and server fromthe system 100 of FIG. 1 according to certain aspects of the subjecttechnology. In one embodiment, the master client 110, controlled client140, and the server 130 are connected over the network 150 viarespective communications modules 218, 248, and 238 and are configuredto interface with the network 150 to send and receive information, suchas data, requests, responses, and commands to other devices on thenetwork. The communications modules 218, 248, and 238 can be, forexample, modems or Ethernet cards.

In one embodiment, the master client 110 includes a processor 212, thecommunications module 218, and a memory 220 that may include a mastermodule 224 and a web browser 226. Memory 220 may additionally include adatabase containing master user account information and informationregarding remote device management of controlled client 140. Theprocessor 212 of the master client 110 is configured to executeinstructions, such as instructions physically coded into the processor212, instructions stored in memory 220, or a combination of both. Forexample, an input device of master client 110 (not shown) may provideinput to processor 212 which is processed by the master module 224stored in memory 220. The input may then be sent through network 150 viacommunications module 218 to server 130, which receives the informationthrough communications module 238. Master module 224 may receivenotification information regarding controlled client 140 and provide thenotifications for display on the master client 110. Master module 224may additionally process management information regarding controlledclient 140 input by the master user of master client 110. Arestriction/notification application that is downloaded and installed onmaster client 110 may be composed of or include master module 224.Alternatively, portions of master module 224 may be an installedrestriction/notification application downloaded from a server 130. Webbrowser 226 may provide an additional or alternative access to themaster user account through the internet; thus allowing web-basedcontrol of the controlled client 140 through master client 110.

The controlled client 140, in one embodiment, includes a processor 242,the communications module 248, and a memory 240 that may include arestriction/notification module 244. Portions ofrestriction/notification module 244 may be downloaded from server 130and may contain instructions that are capable of causing the restrictionof device capabilities of controlled client 140 and/or allow for thesending of notifications from controlled client 140.Restriction/notification module 244 may require management informationreceived from master client 110 or a master user account to fullyimplement restrictions and/or notifications. Restriction/notificationmodule 244 may also execute instructions sent from servers 130. Memory240 may additionally include a database containing restriction andnotification information and information associating the controlledclient 140 to one or more master clients 110. The processor 242 of thecontrolled client 140 is configured to execute instructions, such asinstructions physically coded into the processor 242, instructionsstored in memory 240, or a combination of both. For example, an inputdevice of controlled client 140 (not shown) may provide input toprocessor 242 which is processed by the restriction/notification module244 stored in memory 240. The input may then be sent through network 150via communications module 248 to server 130, which receives theinformation through communications module 238. Restriction/notificationmodule 244 may receive restriction/notification information from masterclient 110 and provide for the restriction and/or notification of one ormore controlled client 140 device capabilities based on the receivedrestriction/notification information. In one embodiment, server 130includes a processor 236, the communications module 238, and a memory232 that may include a remote device management module 234. Memory 232may additionally include a database including information for multiplemaster user accounts, the controlled clients 140 associated with themaster user accounts, and information for master clients 110 associatedwith the master user accounts. The databases may include restrictionand/or notification information associated with the master user accountsfor the control of controlled clients 140. Processor 236 is configuredto execute instructions, such as instructions physically coded into theprocessor 236, instructions stored in memory 232, or a combination ofboth. Processor 236 processes information from remote device managementmodule 234 and sends information through communications module 238,through network 150, to master client 110.

FIGS. 3 a-3 d are process flow diagrams illustrating example processesfor remote mobile device management as shown by example master useraccount/master user device/master client 110, example servers 130, andexample remote mobile device/controlled device 140. Dashed linesrepresent some of many possible variations in the process flows.Portions of or all of the process flows 301-304 illustrated in FIGS. 3a-3 d may be combined, repeated, taken out of the illustrated order, orintegrated into other portions of the process flow without straying fromthe subject technology. Although processes 301-304 of FIGS. 3 a-3 d aredescribed with reference to FIG. 1, the processes are not limited tosuch configurations and can be applied to other systems andconfigurations.

FIG. 3 a illustrates an example process flow diagram 301 for remotemobile device management as shown by the example master client 110,example controlled client 140 and example server 130 of FIG. 1. A masteruser may act from a web browser, a master user device, or a web browserof a master user device and may request to establish a master useraccount through a master client 110 in process flow step 311. The term“master user” as used herein encompasses its plain and ordinary meaning,including, but not limited to, any user who establishes a master useraccount that manages remote mobile devices (e.g., another user's mobilephone) through the master user account. Multiple users may constitute asingle master user (e.g., two parents have a single master user accountto remotely manage the mobile devices of their children). A master usermay have multiple master user accounts managing multiple remote mobiledevices.

A “master user device” as used herein encompasses its plain and ordinarymeaning, including, but not limited to, a device or master client 110associated with the master user that provides access to the master useraccount and allows for the remote management of other controlled clients140, including, but not limited to mobile devices. A “master userdevice” may, but need not, be a portable device. Access to the masteruser account may be provided by virtue of an application installed onthe device, through a web browser installed on the device, or acombination of the two.

Although a master user account may be accessible through a web browseron multiple client devices, the term “master user device” as used hereinincluding the claims, refer to devices that are not the same device asany of the remote mobile devices (i.e., controlled clients 140)controlled by the master user account or master user device. A devicethat functions as a master user device may have the capability of beingcontrolled by other clients 110 through the techniques of the subjecttechnology as contained herein; however, in the context in which themaster user device is controlled by another device, the master userdevice becomes the remote mobile device (e.g., a father's mobile phonemay be the master user device with respect to his child's phone, but thefather's mobile phone may be the remote mobile device, and thus not themaster user device, with respect to his wife's phone). The master userdevice is a physically separate device from the remote mobile devicethat it manages. Multiple master user devices may be associated with asingle master user account. A single master user device may beassociated with multiple master user accounts. A master user account maybe accessed from devices that are not master user devices. Master useraccount information may be locally stored on a master user device. Themaster user account interface may allow the master user to invite themaster user's contact to share the application. The master user accountinterface may allow the master user to purchase a subscription ordownloadable applications of the subject technology on behalf of anotheruser as a gift.

The term “master user account” as used herein encompasses its plain andordinary meaning, including, but not limited to, an account from whichone remotely manages one or more mobile devices. A master user accountmay be accessed from a web browser installed on a master user device(e.g., master client 110) or directly through a master user devicethrough an application that has been installed on the master userdevice. A master user account allows the master user to associate one ormore remote mobile devices with the master user account to allow remotemobile device management. Multiple users may be associated with a singlemaster user account. Multiple remote mobile devices may be individuallymanaged from a single master user account. A user may have multiplemaster user accounts. The master user account and data associated withthe master user account may be stored on servers 130. The master useraccount may be protected by one or more passwords or by any othersecurity measure. The master user account may be associated with amaster user device.

In one embodiment, a server 130 establishes a master user account basedon the request from a master user in flow process step 311. The requestmay be made from a device that may become a master device associatedwith the created master user account. The request may includeidentifying information on one or more master users and may require thepayment of a one-time fee or a recurring subscription fee. The masteruser account may require the formulation of user-identifying informationsuch as a user name, password, or the like. The master user account mayrequire identifying information of the master user such as a telephonenumber, account number, or physical address associated with the masteruser.

The server 130 establishes the master user account based on the requestfrom master user in flow process step 321. Information associated withthe master user account may be stored on server 130. After the masteruser account is established, a master user acting through the masteruser account via the web browser and/or a master user device mayinitiate a request to associate a remote mobile device (i.e., controlledclient 140) with the master user account. The request to associate aremote mobile device with the master user account is received by theservers 130 in flow process step 331. The remote mobile device may beidentified by a telephone number, an account number, or any otheridentifying information. The master user may designate a user name forthe remote mobile device that is used within master user interfaces ofthe master user account for ease of reference for the master user.

In one embodiment, the servers 130 then associate the remote mobiledevice with the master user account in flow process step 341.Association of the remote mobile device may require download ofinformation or an application to the remote mobile device itself. Theassociation of the remote mobile device with the master user account mayrequire the physical entry of a password, token, or other identifyinginformation provided to the master user account, and input into theremote mobile device in order to complete the association of the remotemobile device with the master user account.

FIGS. 3 b-3 d illustrate examples of process flows 302-304 for remotemobile device management of the remote mobile device once a master useraccount is created and a remote mobile device is associated with themaster user account as shown by the example master client 110, examplecontrolled client 140 and server 130 of FIG. 1. Multiple remote mobiledevices may be associated with the master user account at any timeduring any of the processes of FIGS. 3 b-3 d in the manner illustratedby FIG. 3 a.

Restriction and monitoring of a remote mobile device is customizedthrough the use of management information. The term “managementinformation” as used herein encompasses its plain and ordinary meaning,including, but not limited to, information established through themaster user account that governs the restriction and/or monitoring ofthe remote mobile devices associated with the master user account.Management information may be restricted such that it may not be alteredfrom the remote mobile device to which it applies. Managementinformation may be specific to each remote mobile device controlled by asingle or multiple master user account, or portions of managementinformation may be applied to multiple remote mobile devices associatedwith the master user account. Management information may includeinformation regarding the types of remote mobile device capabilitiesthat are restricted, the conditions under which a restriction isenabled, types of conditions for which a notification to be sent, andthe like. Remote mobile device monitoring may be based on notificationssent from the master user account based on the activity and usage of theremote mobile device. Management information may include informationindicating whether portions of the restriction/notification system are“on” or “off,” restriction conditions and constraints associated when arestriction is enabled or disabled, information regarding what devicecapabilities are restricted, and monitoring information includingnotification information. Restrictions and notifications may beindependently turned “on” or “off” through the master user account atany time. “On” or “off” status of restrictions and notifications aredetermined by master user entry of restriction activation informationand notification activation information included in the managementinformation. Turning a restriction/notification “on” indicates that therestriction/notification will occur if the restriction/notificationcondition occurs. Turning a restriction/notification “off” indicatesthat no restriction/notification will occur regardless of whether arestriction/notification condition occurs. If therestriction/notification is turned “off” while during a period ofrestriction of the remote mobile device, the restriction of the remotemobile device will be overridden and the restrictions will be removedupon receipt of the change of restriction activation information fromthe user. Individual restrictions or notifications may be turned “on”and “off” individually, in any combinations, or all restrictions andnotifications may be globally turned “on” and “off” for each remotemobile device.

A restriction or notification may be enabled/sent based on theoccurrence of one or more restriction conditions associated with motionof the device, the geographic location of the device, or time.Restriction/notification conditions may be entered via the master useraccount as management information. A preset default value may beprovided for some aspects of restrictions/notifications if a master userentered value is not entered. A restriction may be enabled and anotification may be sent based on the same condition.

A restriction may affect one or more capabilities of the remote mobiledevice. A restriction may limit, disable, or alter one or morecapabilities of the remote mobile device while the restriction isenabled. Some capabilities of the remote mobile device, such as voicecommunication capabilities specific to emergency services, may not belimited in any way by any restriction of the subject technology. Forexample, emergency services contact capabilities (such as 911 inbound oroutbound call capabilities) cannot be disabled or restricted by anymaster user, through the master user account, or from the master device.Limitations or constraints on the restriction of device capabilities mayadditionally be entered as management information through the masteruser account.

Notification information included in the management information mayinclude condition and constraint information associated with when anotification should be sent, the type of notification that is sent, andthe content included in the notification. Notification information mayinclude notifications sent to the master user account, the masterdevice, or may be sent to the master user through another medium, suchas an associated master user email account. A notification may be a textmessage, an email, a voice mail message to the master device with anautomated message, sort message service, and the like. One or morenotifications may be sent based on the occurrence of a singlenotification condition. Notifications may also be sent to another userthat attempts to communicate with the remote mobile device while thatmethod of communication is restricted on the device. Notifications mayalso be displayed to the user of the remote mobile device.

Any notification may be customized through the master user account. Auser interface allows the master user to determine what type ofnotification should be sent, the conditions under which the notificationis sent, when the notifications are turned “on” and “off,” the contentfor the notification, and for which remote mobile device thenotifications are to be sent.

FIG. 3 b illustrates an example process flow 302 for remote mobiledevice management including restrictions of the remote mobile device. Inflow process step 312, management information including restrictionactivation information may be sent from the master user account toservers 130. The restriction activation information indicates whetherrestrictions are “on” or “off” Restriction condition information mayalso be included in the management information sent to the servers 130,or preset default conditions may be set if no restriction conditioninformation is included in the management information. The ability toenable and disable the restriction system provides the master user withflexibility to control the restriction system from a remote location atany time.

In flow process step 322, the restriction condition occurs at the remotemobile device. The occurrence of the restriction condition 322 may causethe remote mobile device to enable the restriction directly in step 342if the last received restriction activation information received fromthe master user account indicates that the restriction has been turned“on.” Alternatively, the occurrence of the restriction condition maycause the remote mobile device to send an indication to the servers 130that the restriction condition has been met. Servers 130 may thenidentify whether the master user account information indicates that therestriction activation information of indicates that the restriction isturned “on.” If so, then the servers 342 may provide for the restrictionbased on the received indication by instructing the remote mobile deviceto enable the restriction.

The removal of a restriction as illustrated in steps 352, 362, and 372may occur in much the same manner as the enablement of the restrictionas disclosed above. The restriction removal condition may be a conditionthat is distinct from the restriction condition. Alternatively, therestriction removal condition may require only that the restrictioncondition is no longer met. Restriction removal condition informationmay be customized and included in the management information of step312.

Specific applications and examples of the example flow process 302 willnow be described. These specific applications and examples are providedby way of example and illustration only, and are not intended to limitthe subject technology in any manner.

A motion-based restriction may be implemented to promote safe driving bythe user of the remote mobile device. One condition for thismotion/driving restriction is based on the movement of the device. Themovement of the remote mobile device may be determined based on one ormore of global positioning system (GPS) information, multilateration, orother techniques from which the speed of the remote mobile device may bedetermined. The restriction condition may be in the form of arestriction threshold and may be a predetermined default value or may berestriction threshold set by the master user. The restriction thresholdspeed should be set such that the threshold amount is above speeds thatmay indicate human powered movement such as walking or running, and thethreshold amount should be sufficiently low to provide an earlyindication that the controlled user is driving a car. Five miles perhour and ten miles per hour are examples of preset default values for arestriction threshold. If the restriction activation informationindicates that the restriction is “on,” then the driving restriction isenabled when the motion of the device is detected to exceed therestriction threshold speed. The restriction removal condition may bethe deceleration of the remote mobile device. The restriction removalcondition may be that the remote mobile device had decelerated below therestriction threshold speed or that the motion of the device hasstopped.

The restriction removal condition for the driving restriction may havean automatic delay to prevent the restriction from being lifted whilethe driver is at a stop light, stop sign, or caught in traffic. The timeof delay may be set by the master user through the managementinformation or may be a preset value such as one minute or two minutes.The present time period may be any other length of time that is longenough to account for the length time the driver may be temporarilystopped while driving and short enough to prevent unnecessaryrestriction of remote mobile device capabilities once the driver hasarrived at a destination. If the device begins moving or acceleratingabove the restriction threshold speed before the end of the delayperiod, the restrictions remain in place until the device has againstopped moving or decelerated below the restriction removal speedthreshold for the full delay.

The types of device capabilities that are restricted when the devicemoves above the restriction threshold speed in the motion-based examplemay also be included in the management information and may be setthrough the master user account. The restriction of the devicecapabilities may be preset defaults if not included in the managementinformation. The device may be restricted such that input capabilitiesof the remote mobile device are restricted. For instance, a keypadand/or touchscreen of the remote mobile device may be restricted suchthat only emergency services communication capabilities are available.Incoming communications may be restricted such that incoming calls,messages, emails, text messages, and other types of communications arerestricted. Incoming phone calls may be restricted such that the callerreceives a busy signal, is sent directly to voice mail, or receives anautomated response indicating that the caller is unavailable.

An automated response may include a personal message, a preset message,and may include an advertisement as a portion of the automated response.Advertisements included as a portion of the automated response mayadditionally provide an incentive, coupon, or game-type component toencourage users to continue use of the driving restriction. Theadvertisement may invite the inbound caller to create a master useraccount. The ringer of the remote mobile device may be disabled suchthat an indication of the incoming communication is restricted.

In addition to maintaining emergency service call capabilities duringthe period of driving restriction, the master user may indicate otherauthorized callers that may not be restricted when the restriction isenabled. The master user may enter these authorized callers by enteringtelephone numbers and user names associated with the telephone numbersas a portion of the management information. An icon may appear on theuser interface during the time of restriction that allows the remotemobile device user to call emergency services or an authorized caller byinteracting with the touchscreen. A keypad that is otherwise restrictedduring the driving restriction may also allow outbound calls toemergency services or to an authorized caller. That is, keys that arepressed in the sequence of an emergency service or authorized callertelephone number results in the placement of a telephone call andfunction as exceptions to the keypad restriction. Incoming calls fromemergency services and authorized callers may also not be subject to therestriction. The driving restriction may be set such that incoming andoutgoing calls from/to emergency services and authorized callers are theonly remote mobile device capabilities that remain enabled when thedriving restriction is enabled.

Similarly, other exceptions to remote mobile device restrictions may beincluded in the management information. For example, voice telephonecalls through the remote mobile device maybe restricted, however themanagement information may include information that allows voice callsrouted through hands-free devices (e.g., a headset, wireless headset, ora hands-free device that is installed in a vehicle) associated with theremote mobile device as an exception to the restriction of voice callingcapabilities. Voice activated dialing may also be indicated in themanagement information as an exception to a restriction of voice callingcapabilities. Device restrictions and exceptions for the drivingrestriction may include any one or more of the above possibilities ormay include any other type of device restriction disclosed herein.

As another example, a location-based restriction may be implemented topromote focus while at work, school, or otherwise. The condition forthis location/work/school/etc. restriction is based on the geographiclocation of the device. The location of the remote mobile device may bedetermined based one or more of GPS information, multilateration, orother techniques from which the geographic location of the remote mobiledevice may be determined. The restriction condition may be in the formof a geographic boundary. The geographic boundary may be set as anaddress with a radius to determine a geographic area for therestriction. The radius may be a preset or information included in themanagement information. The radius may be any value, and may be set suchthat the geographic boundary essentially represents one building (e.g.,a school, mall, or office building), an larger area (e.g., a universitycampus or office complex), or a larger area (e.g., a city or town). Apreset value for the radius may be one thousand feet. If the restrictionactivation information indicates that the restriction is “on,” then thelocation restriction is enabled when the remote mobile device enters thegeographic area enclosed by the geographic boundary. The restrictionremoval condition may be that the mobile device has moved outside thegeographic boundary area.

The types of device capabilities that are restricted when the devicemoves into the geographic boundary area may include any one or more ofthe restrictions disclosed herein. Types of device capabilities that aredisclosed with respect to a location-based restriction may be applied toother examples. One type of device capability that may be restricted inthis example includes the limited use of specific remote mobile deviceapplications including, but not limited to game application, socialnetworking applications, shopping applications, toy applications,photo/video applications, and the like. Internet usage may also belimited or restricted entirely. Specific websites or applications may beallowed or restricted based on information included in managementinformation. Applications and internet usage may be restricted followinga time length use-based threshold amount. For example, once thegeographic location is entered and the location-based restriction is ineffect, a restriction of a social networking application may allow theapplication to be open on the remote mobile device for a total of thirtyminutes while the device remains within the geographic boundary.

A time-based restriction may also be implemented, for example, toprevent distraction during sleep or study. The condition for thistime-based/sleep/study/etc. restriction is based on occurrence of aperiod of time during which the device is restricted. The restrictioncondition may be in the form of a start time, a start time and aduration, or a start time and an end time. Such a restriction may be setto operate specifically on certain days of the week, may be individuallyplanned, or may be spontaneously implemented through master user enteredinformation included in the management information. A specific number ofrecurrences may be set for the repetition of a time-based restriction,or the restriction may be set to repeat at a regular interval.

The type of remote mobile device capabilities may be any one orcombination of the device restrictions disclosed herein. In addition tothe combination of multiple restriction of device capabilities, theconditions under which a restriction is enabled may be dependent onmultiple conditions.

For example, a motion-based/driving restriction may require the motionof the device to occur within a specific geographic area, during aspecific period of time, both within a specific geographic region andduring a specific time period, or neither. Alternatively, a restrictionmay be disabled based on one or more condition. For example, amotion-based/driving restriction may not be enabled if the motion of thedevice occurs during a specific period of time. Such a combination mayprevent the needless restriction of the remote mobile device if themaster user has determined that the user may be in motion during aperiod of time, but the user will not be the driver (e.g., the remotemobile device user is on a train, airplane, or will be a passenger inanother driver's vehicle). Combination condition information may beincluded in the management information. The restoration removalcondition may occur when one or all of the combined restrictionconditions are no longer occurring.

FIG. 3 c illustrates an example process flow diagram 303 for remotemobile device management including monitoring of the remote mobiledevice in the form of notifications. In the flow process step 313, theservers 130 may receive management information including notificationactivation information that may be sent from the master user account toservers 130. The notification activation information from the masteruser account indicates whether the notifications are “on” or “off”Notification condition information may also be included in themanagement information sent to the servers 130, or preset defaultconditions may be set if no notification condition information isincluded in the management information. The ability to enable anddisable the notification system provides the master user withflexibility to control the notification system from a remote location atany time.

In flow process step 323, the notification condition occurs at theremote mobile device. The remote mobile device may send an indication tothe servers 130 that the notification condition has been met in flowprocess step 333. If the notification activation information receivedfrom the master user account indicates that the notification has beenturned “on,” a notification is generated and sent to the master useraccount in process flow step 343. The notification may be sent to themaster user device, to an email address associated with the master useraccount, or through another form of communication that is associatedwith the master user and the master user account. The process 303 may berepeated in the same manner with respect to a notification that is to besent when the original notification condition ceases to occur. Anotification sent based on the original notification condition ceasingto occur may be a condition that is distinct from the restriction or maybe a condition that requires only that the original notificationcondition is no longer met. This type of notification information mayalso be included in management information of step 313 along withnotification condition information.

Specific applications and examples of the example flow process 303 willnow be described. These specific applications and examples are providedby way of example and illustration only and are not intended to limitthe subject technology in any manner.

In another embodiment, a speed based notification for a remote mobiledevice user that is speeding may be sent to the master user account, anda threshold amount of speed over a posted speed limit or over a maximumvalue may constitute the notification condition for a speed application.Speed based notifications may encourage the user of the remote mobiledevice to drive safely and additionally allows the master user to bebetter informed of the driving behavior of the remote mobile deviceuser. The notification condition can be established by a preset value ormay be entered through the master user account as managementinformation. An example of a preset value for a threshold amount ofspeeding may be ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit (at thecurrent location of the remote mobile device) or may consist of athreshold speed such as eighty miles per hour. The speed of the devicemay be determined based on one or more of global positioning system(GPS) information, multilateration, or other techniques from which thespeed of the remote mobile device may be determined. The geographiclocation of the remote mobile device may be additionally used todetermined the posted speed limit based on available speed limitinformation, including speed limit information stored in databases ofservers 130. If the notification activation information indicates thatthe notification system is “on,” then the speed based restriction issent when the motion of the device exceeds the threshold amount ofspeeding. A second notification may be sent based on the end of theoriginal notification condition occurrence. The end notificationcondition may be that the remote mobile device has decelerated below thethreshold amount of speeding.

The content of the notification may include information such as theidentity of the remote mobile device user, telephone number associatedwith the remote mobile device, a description of the condition occurrence(e.g., exceeding the posted speed limit by the threshold amount), thelocation of the remote mobile device at the time of the occurrence, acurrent date and time stamp, and the like. The second notificationindicating that the remote mobile device user is no longer speeding mayalso include content indicating the total length of time during whichthe device exceeded the threshold amount of speeding.

The type of notification may be included in the management informationand may be set through the master user account. The type of notificationmay be a preset default if no customized information included in themanagement information. For example, the preset default notificationtype for the speeding notification may be an email sent to an emailaddress associated with the master user account.

Another example of a notification is a device tampering notification.Device tampering notifications may better inform the master user as tothe efficacy of the subject technology. The device tampering conditionmay be established as the removal of the battery or other power supplyof the remote mobile device, disabling or removal of some or all of anapplication on the remote mobile device associated with anotherrestriction or notification, disabling of a GPS system or other locationdetermining application of the remote mobile device, attempting to gainaccess to the associated master user account from the remote mobiledevice, or any other indication that an attempt to circumvent or removethe notifications and/or restrictions of the remote mobile device isoccurring. Multiple device tampering conditions may be indicated in themanagement information, the occurrence of any one of which may cause adevice tampering notification to be sent.

When the device tampering condition has occurred or upon the restorationof power to the remote mobile device (e.g., if the remote mobile devicehas been shut down based on the removal of the power source), anotification may be sent to the master user if the notificationactivation information has been set to “on.” The content of thenotification may indicate the method by which the device was tamperedwith, whether any notifications or restrictions were disabled, and theduration of the disablement, if any.

As another example, a device monitoring notification may occur based onany of the example conditions disclosed above regarding restrictions.Instead of enabling a restriction on the device based on motion,geographic location, or time; in various embodiments, a notification maybe sent to the master user if the device is moving above the motionrestriction threshold if the geographic boundary has been entered, ifthe device is used within a restricted time period, etc. A secondnotification may be sent to the master user once the device hasdecelerated, once the device has ceased being used within the restrictedtime period, etc., or once the remote mobile device is no longer locatedwithin the geographic boundary. Customization of these notifications maybe similarly individualized in the same spirit as other notificationsdisclosed herein. Content of the notification itself may include anindication of what condition of the remote mobile device has occurred,identification of the remote mobile device, and a date and time stamp ofthe condition that occurred.

Alternative to the above examples, an indication may be sent to theserver that an initial condition has occurred, but the notification isnot sent until a second indication that the initial condition isreceived indicating that the initial condition has ceased occurring. Anotification may be sent to the master user account following the secondindication and the content of the notification may indicate the durationof time that the condition occurred.

Further, multiple notification conditions may be required for a singlenotification. For example, a motion, geographic location, or timecondition that requires another condition associated with a specificdevice capability to occur before a notification is sent. Instead ofrestricting the device capability as illustrated above, the remotemobile device may be monitored through a notification that may be sentto the master device user. Exceptions may be established fornotifications in the same manner as otherwise herein including the“allowed” applications, authorized websites, or authorized user-to-usercommunication (e.g., authorized caller information). Usage thatcorresponds to an application, website, or caller does not cause anotification to be sent. A length of authorized use may also beestablished so that an application may be used for a period of timebefore a notification is sent. Notifications established based on anallowed period of use may promote responsible use of entertainmentapplications of the remote mobile device.

For example, a notification that speeding has occurred may be sent whenthe device is moving at a speed that is ten miles per hour over thespeed limit. The speeding notification may vary based on time of day.For instance, the speeding threshold may be set at five miles per hourover the posted speed limit during times of day that the remote mobileuser is likely to be driving in a school zone and ten miles per hourover the speed limit at other times. Notifications may be customizedbased on geographic boundaries or a combination of time and geographicboundaries. A speed notification may be individually turned “off” and“on” by the master user.

As another speed based example, notifications may be sent in regulartime intervals (e.g., every five minutes or half hour) once the remotemobile device is moving, and the notifications may be sent at regularintervals until the remote mobile device is no longer moving. Periodicspeed monitoring notifications may be sent based on a speed differentialinstead of a regular time interval, with the notifications indicatingwhen the remote mobile device user is driving erratically or that thedriver may be having car trouble while driving. The content of speedmonitoring notifications may indicate the speed of the device, thechange in speed, the location, direction, destination, posted speedlimit at the location of the remote mobile device, and the like.

Notifications may be sent if an attempt to disable the restrictionsystem is detected. For instance, if there is an attempt to access themaster user account from the remote mobile device, if the battery istaken out of the remote mobile device, if associated applicationinformation is deleted from the remote mobile device, or if locationacquisition capabilities (such as global positioning information) aredisabled.

Notifications may be sent when an application of the device is accessedincluding web browsers, game applications, text messaging, voicecommunications, or specific websites in a web browser. A list ofapproved applications and websites may be provided in the managementinformation. Use of such approved applications or visits to thosewebsites will not cause a notification to be sent to the master userdevice. Access of authorized content may be partially restricted andlimitations of the partial restrictions may be included in themanagement information. The notification rules may be set based on timeof day, type of activity, or by user. Notification information may becontrolled from the master user account at any time. All notificationsmay be turned “on” or “off” by the master user device.

FIG. 3 d illustrates an example process flow 304 for remote mobiledevice management including both restrictions of the remote mobiledevice and monitoring of the remote mobile device by sendingnotifications regarding activity of the remote mobile device to themaster user. In flow process step 314, management information includingrestriction activation information and notification activationinformation from the master user account may be sent from the masteruser account to servers 130. The restriction/notification activationinformation indicates whether none, one, or both of the restriction andnotification systems are “on” or “off” Restriction/notificationcondition information may also be included in the management informationsent to the servers 130 or preset default conditions may be set if norestriction/notification condition information is included in themanagement information. The ability to enable and disable therestriction and notification systems both independently and togetherprovides the master user with flexibility to control the restriction andnotification systems from a remote location at any time.

In flow processes 324 through 384, restrictions and notifications areprovided similarly to the other disclosures herein; accordingly,repetition will be avoided. A restriction may be coupled with anotification so that a status notification is sent to the master userindicating that a restriction has been enabled or disabled. Thecondition occurrence may be identical for both the restriction and thenotification. The notification may be sent based on the indication thatthe notification condition has been met based on the indication sent tothe servers 130. The restriction may be enabled based on either theindication that the restriction condition has been met that was sent tothe servers 130. The enablement of the restriction may alternativelyoccur directly in flow process step 354 based on the occurrence of therestriction condition itself and not based on the servers 130 receipt ofan indication that the restriction condition has occurred.

The management of the remote mobile device may occur based on acombination of restrictions and notifications. Some restrictions andnotifications may share or have identical conditions. Some restrictionsand notifications may require the occurrence of multiple conditions,some of which may be identical to other condition occurrences forseparate restrictions and/or notifications.

For example, a driving based remote device management system may includeboth a motion-based driving restriction and a speed based notificationsystem. Accordingly, the remote mobile device may be subject torestriction while the device user is driving and notifications may besent to the master user if speeding occurs or if a maximum speedcondition occurs at any time while the device is in motion. Additionalnotifications may be set so that the master user is notified when devicecapabilities have been restricted based on motion.

Any of the restrictions or any of the notifications may be implementedin a remote device management system that includes device tamperingnotification. Accordingly, during any other process of restrictionand/or notification, an device tampering notification may be sent if thedevice or restriction/notification application is tampered with.

Notifications may also be set through the master user account so that anotification is sent automatically from the servers 130 at a scheduledtime or throughout a regularly occurring interval. These types ofnotifications may be used by the master user as reminders to update,change, or turn “off” and “on” the restrictions and/or notifications ofthe remote mobile devices that are associated with the master useraccount.

The subject technology may include preset combinations of one or morerestrictions, one or more notifications, or a combination of one or morerestrictions and notifications for selection by the master user for eachremote mobile device that is controlled. Preset combinations may providesome opportunity to customize the type of restriction, content ofnotification, and threshold amount or may provide preset values,notification content, and restrictions.

A master user may be able create, save, copy, or transfer partiallypreset combinations of management information or a completely customizedset of management information based on a combination of restrictionsand/or notifications. Customized combinations may be transferrablebetween master user accounts and/or may be transferable between remotemobile devices. Names for preset combinations may be provided based on atypical practical application for easy reference. Geographic boundariesfor locations may be created and saved. Combinations and saved portionsof management information may be saved and accessed from the master useraccount at any time.

Examples of preset combinations of management information forcombinations of restrictions and/or notifications may include: speedzone mode, school mode, unauthorized location mode, work mode, sleepmode, and study mode. Customization based on master user entered orselected information may be provided through management information andthe processes, systems, and combinations for preset and partially presetcombinations may be implemented in the processes, systems, andcombinations as a part of the subject technology as previously disclosedherein.

Speed zone mode may include email notifications to the master user ifthe driver is exceeding the posted speed limit of a road on which theremote mobile device is located with additional notifications via emailif an attempt is made by the user to disable the application.

School mode may include a master user entered location of the school viathe school's address. A radius may be preset at one mile or set by themaster user. Notifications may be sent via text/and or email to themaster device associated with the master user and master user accountwhen the remote mobile device arrives at the school campus and when theremote mobile devices leaves. The content of the arrival and departurenotifications may include time, date, and location. Additionalnotifications via text and/or email notifications may be sent to themaster device when any application on a list of predeterminedapplications and/or websites is used on the remote mobile device.Additionally, notifications may be sent to the master user device whencalls are made to telephone numbers that do not appear on an authorizedcaller list made of both preset authorized call numbers such asemergency services and authorized call numbers that are selected by themaster user via the management information through the master useraccount. The notifications may all be turned “on” or “off” based onnotification activation information at any time. A device tamperingnotification may be enabled. A school mode preset combination may alsoinclude an option to include time-based restrictions.

Unauthorized location mode may include a master user enteredunauthorized location-based on an address and a radius. Emailnotifications may be sent to the email address associated with themaster user account when the remote mobile device enters or leaves theunauthorized location. All device capabilities except emergency servicesand authorized calls may be restricted, and a notification may be sentto the remote mobile device via a specialized restriction screen withnotification content indicating that the user of the remote mobiledevice has entered an unauthorized location. Further customization of anotification to the remote mobile device user may indicate that the usershould leave the unauthorized area immediately. A notification in theform of a phone call may automatically be initiated from the remotemobile device to the master device upon entering the unauthorizedlocation. Upon connection of the phone call, an automated notificationmessage may indicate to one or both of the master user and the user ofthe remote mobile device that the call has been initiated based on thearrival at an the unauthorized location. Device tampering notificationsmay be further included.

Work mode may have both time and geographic location conditions thatrestrict non-work related device capabilities. Time ranges may beselected to reflect the business day, and the employer's address may beselected as the location. An employer or representative of the companymay receive notifications based on the use of applications on the remotemobile device, and for some calls, such as long distance calls. The longdistance service costs may be included in the content of thenotification message. Durations of time may be allotted to some devicecapabilities such as social networking, web browsing, specific websites,phone calls to the remote mobile device user's family or otheridentified individuals. Device tampering notifications may also beincluded.

Sleep mode may have time-based selections for school night, weekends, orcustom capabilities during which predetermined applications such as gameapplications, text messaging, and social networking may be restricted.Authorized callers to or from those callers may not be restricted.

Study mode may include a time-based condition so that a time range (e.g.from 6 pm-8:30 pm) during which notifications will be sent to the masteruser if the remote mobile device is used for anything other than a listof predetermined authorized device capabilities. Specific telephonenumbers, websites, or device applications may be restricted. Devicetampering notifications may also be included.

FIGS. 4 a-4 d are illustrations of various example graphical userinterfaces of the remote mobile device and also illustrate variousexample graphical user interfaces of the master device and web browsersallowing access to the master user account in accordance with thesubject technology.

FIG. 4 a is an illustration of a remote mobile device with specializeddisplay during enabled restriction of remote device management.

Remote mobile device/controlled client 140 may be a smartphone with atouchscreen. In an application in which the use of the touchscreen isrestricted (e.g., a driving/motion-based restriction mode), aspecialized screen may be displayed to the remote mobile device userwhile the restriction is enabled. The display 430 may include anauthorized caller list 420 that may be customized by the master user viamanagement information provided through the master user account. Accessto preset authorized caller information such as an emergency services410 may be provided through graphical component on the specializeddisplay. Voice calls to the individuals on the authorized caller list420 or to emergency services 410 may as calls may be placed by touchingthe graphical interface to place a telephone call to the intendedauthorized caller.

Other portions of the device display may be used to providenotifications 440 to the remote device user based on additionalnotification information. An automatic notification indicating that therestriction is in place may be displayed on display 430 for the durationof the restriction. In other examples, a custom notification may warningthe user of their speed may appear on the remote mobile device user'sdisplay 430 while a speeding notification is also sent to the masteruser.

FIG. 4 b is an illustration of a web browser user interface for creatinga master user account. Web browser 402 may be accessed from a devicethat becomes the master user device following the creation of the masteruser account. Web browser 402 may also be accessed by a client device110 that will not be later associated with the master user account.Graphical interface components 412 and 422 may appear identically on aninstalled application on a master device without the necessity of webbrowser 402. Graphical component 412 provides the interface to create anew master user account. Multiple graphical interface screens may berequired to complete the request and creation of the master useraccount. Graphical components 422 allow the master user to enter masteruser information for the master user account. Information such as aname, email, username, password, and mobile number may be entered forthe newly created master user account. Account information entered whilecreating a master user account may later be updated or removed by usingsimilar graphical interfaces at any later time.

FIG. 4 c is an illustration of a web browser user interface of themaster user account in which restriction/notification activationinformation may be changed by the master user. Web browser 403 may beinstalled on a master device or may be accessed on another client deviceused by the master user. The web browser allows website access to therestriction/notification system and provides an interface in whichactivation information may be adjusted by the master user at any time.Once logged into the master user account 443, remote mobile devices thathave been associated with the master user account 433 may be managedfrom web browser 403. User names 423 associated with the controlledclient 140 may be displayed instead of other identifying information foreasy use. Restriction and/or notification activation information may beupdated for the remote mobile device at any time by the master user. Therestriction and/or notification activation may be turned “on” and “off”with graphical component 413. Selection of “on” or “off” through thegraphical component 413 changes the management information associatedwith the respective remote mobile device user 423. Accordingly, theremote mobile device associated with “Dad,” may be managed at any timeof the master user's choosing.

Use of an application via a master device may provide identical displaycomponents 413, 423, 433, and 443 through an installed application on amaster device that allows access to the master user account without thenecessity of a web browser.

FIG. 4 d is an illustration of a restriction/notification applicationuser interface of the master user account in whichrestriction/notification activation information may be changed by themaster user. An application such as a restriction/notificationapplication may associate the master user 404 with the master userdevice. A password may be required to log into the application on themaster device. The application may allow a master user to log intoanother device with the restriction/notification application installedand log into the master user account using master user information, apassword, and/or other security measures. The graphical interface ofFIG. 4 d is representative of a single example of a graphical userinterface for management information of a master user account. Manyscreens may be associated with the master user in order to provide themaster user with the ability to fully customize the managementinformation associated with each remote mobile device of the master useraccount. Separate screens may provide options to add restrictions suchas a time of day restriction 414, select times by hour or other methodsof selecting time 424, a duration of time such as a number of hours ordays 434, and may include individual “on” and “off” selections for eachrestrictions.

Although not shown, other possible options that may be presented inrelated graphical interface to FIG. 4 d include, but are not limited to:selection of type of notification; selection of multiple types ofnotifications; entry of authorized callers information; entry ofnickname or user name information associated with remote device users,authorized callers, or other users associated with the system; entry ofbilling information; access to billing statement information; entry ofinformation regarding the registration of a new remote mobile device tobe associated with the master user account; entry or selection of aspeed notification threshold amount; entry or display of a token codeavailable only to the master user and used to physically authorize theassociation of remote mobile devices with the master user account; entryor selection of location information for geographic boundary conditionsincluding address, street, state, apartment number, city, state, zipcode, and radius of boundary; selection of notification content; entryof customized notification content; selection or entry of notificationcontent to be displayed on the remote mobile device; selection or entryof approved or restricted applications; selection or entry of approvedor restricted websites; selection, customization, or creation ofcustomized, saved, or preset combinations of management information; andselection or entry of device capabilities for restrictions.

Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer-readable storage medium (also referred to ascomputer-readable medium). When these instructions are executed by oneor more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores ofprocessors, or other processing units), they cause the processingunit(s) to perform the actions indicated in the instructions. Examplesof computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs,flash drives, RAM chips, hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer-readablemedia does not include carrier waves and electronic signals passingwirelessly or over wired connections.

In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmwareresiding in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage,which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, insome implementations, multiple software aspects of the subjecttechnology can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program whileremaining distinct software aspects of the subject technology. In someimplementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented asseparate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs thattogether implement a software aspect described here is within the scopeof the subject technology. In some implementations, the softwareprograms, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems,define one or more specific machine implementations that execute andperform the operations of the software programs.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, orother unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup languagedocument), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or inmultiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules,sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployedto be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are locatedat one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by acommunication network.

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates an electronic system with which someimplementations of the subject technology are implemented. Electronicsystem 500 can be a computer, phone, PDA, or any other sort ofelectronic device. Such an electronic system includes various types ofcomputer-readable media and interfaces for various other types ofcomputer-readable media. Electronic system 500 includes a bus 508,processing unit(s) 512, a system memory 504, a read-only memory (ROM)510, a permanent storage device 502, an input device interface 514, anoutput device interface 506, and a network interface 516.

Bus 508 collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipsetbuses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices ofelectronic system 500. For instance, bus 508 communicatively connectsprocessing unit(s) 512 with ROM 510, system memory 504, and permanentstorage device 502.

From these various memory units, processing unit(s) 512 retrievesinstructions to execute and data to process in order to execute theprocesses of the subject technology. The processing unit(s) can be asingle processor or a multi-core processor in different implementations.

ROM 510 stores static data and instructions that are needed byprocessing unit(s) 512 and other modules of the electronic system.Permanent storage device 502, on the other hand, is a read-and-writememory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that storesinstructions and data even when electronic system 500 is off. Someimplementations of the subject technology use a mass-storage device(such as a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) aspermanent storage device 502.

Other implementations use a removable storage device (such as a floppydisk, flash drive, and its corresponding disk drive) as permanentstorage device 502. Like permanent storage device 502, system memory 504is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device 502,system memory 504 is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a randomaccess memory. System memory 504 stores some of the instructions anddata that the processor needs at runtime. In some implementations, theprocesses of the subject technology are stored in system memory 504,permanent storage device 502, and/or ROM 510. For example, the variousmemory units include instructions for remote device management inaccordance with some implementations. From these various memory units,processing unit(s) 512 retrieves instructions to execute and data toprocess in order to execute the processes of some implementations.

Bus 508 also connects to input and output device interfaces 514 and 506.Input device interface 514 enables the user to communicate informationand select commands to the electronic system. Input devices used withinput device interface 514 include, for example, alphanumeric keyboardsand pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”). Outputdevice interface 506 enables, for example, the display of imagesgenerated by the electronic system 500. Output devices used with outputdevice interface 506 include, for example, printers and display devices,such as cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD). Someimplementations include devices such as a touchscreen that functions asboth input and output devices.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, bus 508 also couples electronic system 500to a network (not shown) through a network interface 516. In thismanner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers such as alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), or an Intranet,or a network of networks, such as the Internet. Any or all components ofelectronic system 500 can be used in conjunction with the subjecttechnology.

These functions described above can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniquescan be implemented using one or more computer program products.Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged asmobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one ormore programmable processors and by one or more programmable logiccircuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storagedevices can be interconnected through communication networks.

Some implementations include electronic components, such asmicroprocessors, storage and memory that store computer programinstructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium(alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media,machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Someexamples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-onlycompact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritablecompact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM,dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g.,DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SDcards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and/or solid state hard drives,read-only and recordable Blu-Ray® discs, ultra density optical discs,any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. Thecomputer-readable media can store a computer program that is executableby at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions forperforming various operations. Examples of computer programs or computercode include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and filesincluding higher-level code that are executed by a computer, anelectronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter.

While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessors ormulti-core processors that execute software, some implementations areperformed by one or more integrated circuits, such as applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits executeinstructions that are stored on the circuit itself.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, theterms “computer,” “server,” “processor,” and “memory” all refer toelectronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people orgroups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the termsdisplay or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As usedin this specification and any claims of this application, the terms“computer-readable medium” and “computer-readable media” are entirelyrestricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in aform that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wirelesssignals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subjecttechnology described in this specification can be implemented on acomputer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD(liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the userand a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, bywhich the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devicescan be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

Aspects of the subject technology described in this specification can beimplemented in a computing system that includes a back end component,e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g.,an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., aclient computer having a graphical user interface or a web browserthrough which a user can interact with an implementation of the subjecttechnology described in this specification, or any combination of one ormore such back end, middleware, or front end components. The componentsof the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digitaldata communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a widearea network (“WAN”), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), andpeer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In someaspects, a server transmits data (e.g., an HTML page) to a client device(e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input froma user interacting with the client device). Data generated at the clientdevice (e.g., a result of the user interaction) can be received from theclient device at the server.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upondesign preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged, or that allillustrated steps be performed. Some of the steps may be performedsimultaneously. For example, in certain circumstances, multitasking andparallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation ofvarious system components in the aspects described above should not beunderstood as requiring such separation in all aspects, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in themasculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., herand its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used forconvenience only and do not limit the subject technology. Featuresdescribed under one heading or one subheading of the subject disclosuremay be combined, in various embodiments, with features described underother headings or subheadings. Further it is not necessarily the casethat all features under a single heading or a single subheading are usedtogether in embodiments.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect isessential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. Aphrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and viceversa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that suchconfiguration is essential to the subject technology or that suchconfiguration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. Adisclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations,or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration mayrefer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example orillustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for remote mobile device management, thesystem comprising: one or more processors; and a memory containingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to: establish a master user account basedon a request from a master user; receive a request to associate a remotemobile device with the master user account; associate the remote mobiledevice with the master user account; receive management information fromthe master user account that is associated with the remote mobiledevice, wherein the management information includes restrictionactivation information and a delay time; receive an indication ofmovement when the remote mobile device is moving at a speed above afirst threshold; provide for the restriction of at least one devicecapability of the remote mobile device based on the restrictionactivation information and the indication of movement, wherein theproviding for the restriction of at least one device capability causesat least one application of the remote mobile device to be disabled;receive an indication of deceleration when the remote mobile device hasdecelerated below a second threshold, wherein the second threshold isdifferent than the first threshold; delay the restoration of the atleast one device capability for the delay time following the indicationof deceleration; and provide for a restoration of the at least oneapplication of the remote mobile device based on the remote mobiledevice remaining below the second threshold for the delay time.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the management information further comprisesat least one authorized caller and wherein voice communicationcapabilities with any authorized caller are maintained during therestriction of the at least one device capability of the remote mobiledevice.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one devicecapability includes responding to at least one type of inboundcommunication, wherein the system is further caused to: provide for thesending of an automated response from the remote mobile device to eachinbound communication if the at least one device capability isrestricted.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one type ofinbound communication includes one or more of telephone calls, shortmessage services, text messages, image messages, and electronic mail. 5.The system of claim 3, wherein the automated response includes anadvertisement.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one devicecapability is based on capability restriction information included inthe management information.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein therestriction activation information provides for the overriding of one ormore restrictions of the remote mobile device.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the management information can only be altered via the masteruser account.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is furthercaused to: receive an indication of device tampering when at least oneof removal of a power supply of the remote mobile device or disabling ofa global positioning system capability of the remote mobile deviceoccurs; and send a device tampering notification to the master useraccount.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the management informationincludes the restriction threshold.
 11. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: receive a second indication of movement when the remotemobile device is moving at a speed above the first threshold during thedelayed period of time; and maintain the restriction of the at least onedevice capability.
 12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:receive a second indication of deceleration when the remote mobiledevice has again decelerated below the second threshold; and provide forthe delayed restoration of the at least one device capability based onthe remote mobile device remaining below the second threshold for asecond delayed period of time.
 13. A system for remote mobile devicemanagement, the system comprising: one or more processors; and a memorycontaining processor-executable instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the system to: receive managementinformation from a master user account that is associated with a remotemobile device, wherein the management information includes restrictionactivation information; determine when the remote mobile device ismoving at a speed above a first threshold; provide for the restrictionof at least one device capability of the remote mobile device based onthe restriction activation information and the determination ofmovement; determine when the remote mobile device has decelerated belowa second threshold, wherein the second threshold is different than thefirst threshold; determine that the speed of the remote mobile deviceremains below the second threshold for a delayed period of time afterthe deceleration is determined; and provide for a restoration of the atleast one device capability based on the determination of the speedremaining below the second threshold for the delayed period of time. 14.A system for remote mobile device management, the system comprising: oneor more processors; and a memory containing processor-executableinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe system to: receive management information from a master user accountthat is associated with a remote mobile device, wherein the managementinformation includes restriction activation information and a speedthreshold, wherein the speed threshold is a predetermined rate of speedabove a posted speed limit; receive an indication of movement when theremote mobile device is moving at a speed above a first threshold;provide for the restriction of at least one device capability of theremote mobile device based on the restriction activation information andthe indication of movement; receive an indication of speeding when theremote mobile device is moving above the speed threshold; send aspeeding notification to the master user account based on receipt of theindication of speeding; receive an indication of deceleration when theremote mobile device has decelerated below a second threshold andremained below the second threshold speed for a delayed period of time,wherein the second threshold is different than the first threshold; andprovide for a restoration of the at least one device capability based onthe indication of deceleration.